North Alabama Announces Record-breaking Enrollment For Fall 2020

Oct. 30, 2020

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - Enrollment at the University of North Alabama for the Fall 2020 broke previous records on campus, with nearly 8,400 students enrolled, with the largest growth coming in online graduate programs. This indicates an approximate four percent increase in enrollment from Fall 2019. "I am extremely satisfied with our final enrollment number for Fall 2020, which is the product of an intentional strategy," said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. "We experienced significant gains among several student groups, most notably among our online graduate students." In addition to the overall enrollment growth, online graduate enrollment alone grew by 35 percent from 2019 to 2020. Also, approximately 77 percent of the freshmen who entered UNA in the Fall of 2019 opted to return to campus this fall, which indicates a record retention rate and places UNA well ahead of our peer group in the persistence of first-time, full-time students. "Our record retention rate is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated faculty members and professional advisors," President Kitts said. The retention rate of 77 percent is a two percent increase from 2019, which is relatively rare, particularly amid a global pandemic "In contrast to regional and national trends, UNA experienced notable growth this fall, with commensurate expansion of the 'North Alabama brand," said. Dr. Ross Alexander, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. "Simply put, enrollment growth is an indicator of the overall health and vibrancy of the University." The increased retention rates, including record retention, is vital to the University's "Finish in Four" initiative, according to Dr. Alexander, as it empowers students to graduate on time and with minimal debt. "There are many people to thank for our impressive enrollment outcomes, most notably Ms. Julie Taylor and the Admissions team; Dr. Amber Paulk and Graduate Admissions; the five academic Deans; President Kitts; our talented online recruiters; and the amazing faculty," said Dr. Alexander. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/